The Ancient’s Affective Perception of the Past: Shaping a Philosophical Framework for Archeology

This interdisciplinary research project aims to construct a philosophical framework for understanding how ancient civilizations, particularly the residents of Pompeii, emotionally engaged with their past through material culture.

Building upon theories from situated affectivity, cognitive science, philosophy of emotions, archaeology, philology, history, Roman law, and nostalgia studies, the project will use Pompeii as its main case study.

Specifically, it will focus on the city's history between two catastrophesthe earthquake of 62 A.D. and the Vesuvius eruption of 79 A.D.

Utilizing the principles of upcycling, affective scripts, and niche construction theory, the project explores how material culture influenced human cognition and emotions.

Through a comprehensive examination of literature and historical texts, the research aims to identify and reconstruct affective scripts supported by material culture, offering new insights into the emotional experiences of ancient peoples.

This project will not only refine current archaeological conceptualizations but also extend the application of situated affectivity theories in innovative ways. As an early-career researcher, I see this project as the next evolutionary step in my scholarly journey.

Undertaking this research under the supervision of Prof Haug at Kiel University will enable me to deepen my expertise in archaeology and extend the boundaries of situated affectivity.

Beyond technical expertise, this fellowship with Prof Haug at Kiel University will provide comprehensive training in soft skills like scientific communication, grant writing, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

These skills will not only augment my research capabilities but also enhance my employability in both academia and public sector, especially museums and the Italian Ministry of Culture.